Sawmiller, A. (2010). Classroom blogging: What is the role in science learning? The Clearing House, 83(2), 44-48.
The use of technology in the classroom has been an ongoing concept and there has been a need to incorporate more into the curriculum. Blogging is a new trend that allows students and teachers to connect learning with the technology, whether it is during the school day or at home. Since students are more “tech-savvy” and born into a “digital environment,” having blogs can be beneficial in the science classroom. Sawmiller describes how blogs can help students improve their writing skills by providing another medium for them to practice their communication and critical thinking skills. Blogs can provide differentiated instruction by allowing students to explore science in their own way. The also give students who may be too shy in class to participate a voice since it would be done on the internet. By implementing blogging in the science classroom, school learning can be bridged together with home learning, expanding the classroom.
Blogging is a new concept, so of course there is a little skepticism. Is this really possible to do? Sawmiller’s argument provides a good amount of research that shows how blogs can realistically improve student learning. Having a blog for the classroom would allow teachers to post homework assignments, readings, and project requirements. Students won’t really have an excuse anymore as to losing directions to an assignment, and allows for parents to get involved as well. Because our world is so technology-driven, blogs would just become another teaching aid in the classroom, as a textbook has been in the past. Some drawbacks would be that not all students would have access to a computer or internet at home. Also, one of the arguments that Sawmiller uses is that because blogs are published worldwide, students will be more motivated to write a good piece to post. In theory that may be true, but in practice, I feel those students who aren’t motivated to begin with will not be more motivated to write for a blog. Another issue that might arise would be the accessibility of the blogs at school if the IT people have certain websites blocked.
I think blogging could be incorporated within a science classroom, where teachers could post lab procedures for students to read ahead of time or post a video that relates to the topic that they are learning. There are so many ways the blog could be utilized, but it would take proper implementation and also students who can access the blog in school as well as outside of school.
The use of technology in the classroom has been an ongoing concept and there has been a need to incorporate more into the curriculum. Blogging is a new trend that allows students and teachers to connect learning with the technology, whether it is during the school day or at home. Since students are more “tech-savvy” and born into a “digital environment,” having blogs can be beneficial in the science classroom. Sawmiller describes how blogs can help students improve their writing skills by providing another medium for them to practice their communication and critical thinking skills. Blogs can provide differentiated instruction by allowing students to explore science in their own way. The also give students who may be too shy in class to participate a voice since it would be done on the internet. By implementing blogging in the science classroom, school learning can be bridged together with home learning, expanding the classroom.
Blogging is a new concept, so of course there is a little skepticism. Is this really possible to do? Sawmiller’s argument provides a good amount of research that shows how blogs can realistically improve student learning. Having a blog for the classroom would allow teachers to post homework assignments, readings, and project requirements. Students won’t really have an excuse anymore as to losing directions to an assignment, and allows for parents to get involved as well. Because our world is so technology-driven, blogs would just become another teaching aid in the classroom, as a textbook has been in the past. Some drawbacks would be that not all students would have access to a computer or internet at home. Also, one of the arguments that Sawmiller uses is that because blogs are published worldwide, students will be more motivated to write a good piece to post. In theory that may be true, but in practice, I feel those students who aren’t motivated to begin with will not be more motivated to write for a blog. Another issue that might arise would be the accessibility of the blogs at school if the IT people have certain websites blocked.
I think blogging could be incorporated within a science classroom, where teachers could post lab procedures for students to read ahead of time or post a video that relates to the topic that they are learning. There are so many ways the blog could be utilized, but it would take proper implementation and also students who can access the blog in school as well as outside of school.
Jess W.